Program Description

I. Program Overview

A. Program Mission

The Student Ambassador Program recruits qualified students to represent Northern Virginia Community College in a number of initiatives, serving as role models and mentors to all students. This group of trained student representatives provides the campus with an additional resource of student leaders to assist new and current students in the admissions/registration process, represent the college in outreach efforts, assist in campus wide events, and promote the image of Northern Virginia Community College, including appearing in college promotional materials. Student Ambassadors represent a group of positive, enthusiastic, and well-informed representatives of the student body of Northern Virginia Community College, who are interested in working with faculty, staff and students to promote the college’s programs and services.

B. Student Ambassador Role

Student Ambassadors are trained to provide assistance during peak registration periods, participate in visits to area high schools and college fairs to present the benefits of the community college experience, provide campus tours to visiting high schools, assist during special events and college-sponsored activities, and participate in focus groups and panels, as needed, to provide information for improving student services and information dissemination.

C. Student Ambassador Qualifications

Student Ambassadors must have successfully completed a minimum of twelve credits at the college (ESL credits can apply) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.0. They must be currently enrolled in at least six credits per semester and plan to devote at least two semesters to the Student Ambassador Program, while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preferred qualifications include the completion of the SDV 100 course, New Student Orientation, prior leadership and/or community service experience, demonstrated skills in interpersonal communications, and ability to effectively relate with people of diverse cultural, social, and educational backgrounds.

II. Student Ambassador Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Student Ambassador consist of three major components: registration assistance, outreach involvement, and campus-wide events participation.

A. Registration Assistance

The Student Ambassador Program provides assistance to new and continuing students during the pre-registration process, as well as during the first week of classes each semester. Student Ambassadors are trained to provide assistance in high traffic areas at the campus, such as front entrance/lobby areas, the Student Services Center, Counseling Services, and any area at the campus which requires assistance in eliminating lines of students waiting for services. Student Ambassadors in certain areas have access to computers in order to assist new students in completing the admissions application, as well as showing new students how to search for open classes, add and drop courses, and review degree progress reports. Student Ambassadors are also trained in referring students to the appropriate offices for services, such as tutorial, parking, faculty advising, and directing students to the correct divisions, offices and classrooms.

B. Outreach Activities

An important role of the Student Ambassador is to participate in outreach efforts with area high schools. Student Ambassadors are required to participate in at least three outreach activities each semester. These outreach activities may consist of traveling with outreach counselors to area high schools to provide first-hand information about the student experience at Northern Virginia Community College, providing campus tours to visiting groups of high school students and their parents, representing the college at on-campus college fairs, career and major fairs, and open house events, and speaking on panels or to audiences of high school counselors and community service personnel.

C. Campus-wide Events/Activities

Student Ambassadors are required to participate or assist in at least two campus-wide events or activities each semester, which may include: New Student Orientations, the annual Legislative Visit to Richmond, annual campus-wide events such as Black History Month, voter registration and blood drives, and focus groups, as needed by campus administration.

D. Student Ambassador Club

Membership in the Student Ambassador Club is automatic for Student Ambassadors. This student organization provides ongoing feedback, input and information about Student Ambassador training and resource needs, in addition to serving as a support/network group for all student volunteers at the campus. In addition, this student organization may develop additional community service activities to benefit the campus community.

III. Training for Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors will be provided with various training opportunities, some of which will be required and others considered optional. Below are possible training programs:

A. Training Programs

Training programs for Student Ambassadors are developed by each campus to prepare students to assist during pre-registration, orientations, and outreach efforts. This training may consist of an all-day meeting, bringing in communications faculty to provide an interactive session on effective communications. Counseling and Admissions staff are included in the training session(s) to ensure that Student Ambassadors are clear on the level of advising considered appropriate and questions/issues which should be referred.

B. SDV Student Ambassador Course

Training may be provided to Student Ambassadors through an SDV 100 course or SDV elective, which would provide information on college policies, practices and resources, as well as practical training in providing campus tours. The course would include informational sessions from staff in Admissions, Counseling Services, Outreach Counselors, Financial Aid and Student Activities.

C. Practical Training

Training will include practical experience in designated areas on campus where Student Ambassadors will eventually assist in advising and referrals. This practical experience includes working with staff members in counseling, the Student Services Center and the main information desk on various days, to learn the standard questions asked and responses appropriate to assist students.

D. New Student Orientation

Student Ambassadors will be required to attend a new student orientation, if scheduled during the training period. If an orientation is scheduled after the training period, Student Ambassadors will be expected to attend for reinforcement on policies and procedures taught in earlier training sessions.

E. Campus and College-wide Leadership Training

Student Ambassadors are expected to participate in campus-wide and college- wide student leadership training opportunities, including but not limited to: club recruitment fairs, college-wide student leadership retreats, and the annual VCCS Student Leadership Conference, unless conflicts with course schedules arise.

F. Student Ambassadors Resource Booklet

A training booklet, briefly outlining college policies, as well as registration deadline dates and office/division locations, will be available as a resource to Student Ambassadors for inquiries and referrals.

IV. Compensation

Student Ambassadors will be paid $10.00 an hour.

V. Student Ambassador T-Shirts

A polo jersey, printed with the name of the college and “Student Ambassador”, will be provided to each Student Ambassador to help identify their role to the general public. Jerseys must be worn during all activities and events in which they represent the college, scheduled both on and off-campus.

VI. Benefits to Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors benefit significantly from participation in the program, to include:

* Leadership opportunities available to Student Ambassadors provide additional experience in community service, politics, social and cultural experiences, and develop relationships with administrators on all levels;

* Training and actual experience provides opportunities to develop communication, interpersonal, organizational, public speaking, and problem-solving skills;

* Community service experience develops a sense of belonging and contributing to the community, as well as providing opportunities for personal/professional satisfaction in the knowledge that efforts have improved the lives of others;

* Resume enhancement occurs as a direct result of involvement in leadership and community service activities, which reflects positively on future applications for employment and transfer to four-year universities;

* Letters of recommendation will be made available upon request to Student Ambassadors, in appreciation for their service to the campus and the college;

* Recognition, awards and scholarship opportunities may be available to eligible Student Ambassadors, based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership accomplishments and community service efforts;

* Compensation for leadership and service is provided to all Student Ambassadors based upon their successful completion of the application process, training programs, and program responsibilities.

VII. Program Measurement/Evaluation

In order to effectively contribute to student services, outreach efforts, campus programs, and college initiatives, program measurement and evaluation tools must be utilized. Suggestions for evaluation of program effectiveness include:

A. Student Ambassador Meetings

Meetings are necessary for Student Ambassadors to share experiences, express frustrations, support each other, and provide program suggestions to ensure that the Student Ambassador Program effectively meets the expectations of the campus and the college.

B. Student Ambassador Program Evaluation

At the end of each semester, specific administrators and staff, representing areas such as counseling services, outreach, main lobby information desk, financial aid, student activities, and the student services center will be asked to complete the “Student Ambassador Program Evaluation” and submit to the Student Ambassador Program coordinator for review and resolution on concerns. Program evaluations will also be submitted to the Dean of Students for review.

VIII. Program Summary

Student Ambassador Programs have proven to be extremely effective at community colleges and four-year universities in enhancing student services, in promoting the image of the college to the community, and in building a real sense of community on-campus. In terms of recruitment and enrollments, high school students relate more easily to college students and are more willing to ask questions and express their concerns to college students, who they view as their peers, during college fairs, high school outreach visits, and on-campus tours conducted by Student Ambassadors.

Student Ambassadors, knowledgeable on the college’s educational mission, priorities, and efforts to improve the quality of life for the student body, can serve as extraordinary representatives of the college to fellow students, student organizations, orientation and outreach efforts, and visits by political figures and other distinguished guests, thereby assisting in promoting the image of the college to the larger community.

An investment in the development and management of an effective Student Ambassador Program is an investment in the future of Northern Virginia Community College.

Student Ambassador Program Application Packet (Word format)

Students Interested in the Student Ambassador Program can contact:

Darlene DuBose
Counselor, Peer Support
Northern Virginia Community College
Academic Center for Excellence
Bisdorf Building Room AA229
Alexandria Campus
(703) 933-3995
ddubose@nvcc.edu